How important is GPA while in Nursing school?

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Hello, I was curious as to how important it is to maintain as close to a 4.0 as possible in Nursing school. I'm not suggesting or wondering whether its ok to slack off, but I feel like it'll be easier to learn the material not stressing out about having a few B's every now and then.

No, I know for a fact that a great deal of individuals from many different programs have cheated their way through nursing school. Let's not put the blinders on now. Welcome to reality cheating is everywhere so basing certain things on GPA alone is not reliable. That is my POINT.............. I know for a fact that my grades were earned and that means more to me than someone who has a higher GPA that has cheated. Not everyone cheats but c'mon it does exist and it has and will happen again...................................

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No, I know for a fact that a great deal of individuals from many different programs have cheated their way through nursing school. Let's not put the blinders on now. Welcome to reality cheating is everywhere so basing certain things on GPA alone is not reliable. That is my POINT.............. I know for a fact that my grades were earned and that means more to me than someone who has a higher GPA that has cheated. Not everyone cheats but c'mon it does exist and it has and will happen again...................................

I don't think that there is cheating in my program (yes, I know...you think I have blinders on....we'll have to agree to disagree....since I'm in my program and you're not). Well, there was a problem with a student plagiarizing on a paper....but they expelled the student.

GPA is usually not the only thing that's looked at.....but it's often the first thing, and is used to screen for candidates they'd like to speak with further. It is the only objective measure of mastery of information (in fact that's the point of grading....to have an objective measure of mastery of the material). Is it perfect? Of course not. But until we come up with another objective measure, it will likely continue to be looked at.

Oh and for the record, I earned my grades as well; which is why I don't think that they're worthless because someone else, somewhere else may have cheated to get their grades.

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I think that you are missing the point entirely, this is a blog a place to vent and express questions or concerns. I believe that there is cheating going on everywhere in every program. Whether or not it affects you or you are subjected to it effects is the main problem. I have been affected by cheating. It is very annoying when so much emphasis is placed on GPA when that is only a small part of a person's capabilities. I don't know where you are from but if you think that there is not any form of corruption in every aspect of life IE: school, work, etc... then that's wonderful that you and no one in your perfect program cheats but in reality no one or nothing is perfect. I am not saying that you or anyone else didn't earn their grades. I am merely saying that for those of us that did earn our grades and have at least a 3.0 or higher, someone that cheated might have the upper hand on us in that aspect. Even though in actuality they have only cheated themselves. FYI: CuriousME this is a general statement so don't take things that do not directly affect you so personally.

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I think that you are missing the point entirely, this is a blog a place to vent and express questions or concerns. I believe that there is cheating going on everywhere in every program. Whether or not it affects you or you are subjected to it effects is the main problem. I have been affected by cheating. It is very annoying when so much emphasis is placed on GPA when that is only a small part of a person's capabilities. I don't know where you are from but if you think that there is not any form of corruption in every aspect of life IE: school, work, etc... then that's wonderful that you and no one in your perfect program cheats but in reality no one or nothing is perfect. I am not saying that you or anyone else didn't earn their grades. I am merely saying that for those of us that did earn our grades and have at least a 3.0 or higher, someone that cheated might have the upper hand on us in that aspect. Even though in actuality they have only cheated themselves. FYI: CuriousME this is a general statement so don't take things that do not directly affect you so personally.

I'm not upset (I'm assuming that's what you were speaking about with the taking things personally comment). But I do speak from my personal perspective.

I didn't know that you're post was a rant....the OP was asking if GPA's were important....you said that they shouldn't be relied on and gave your reasons why....I was merely disagreeing with your points. I thought we were a part of a discussion.

I do not live in Eden, there is of course corruption in the world. So, does that mean getting a degree doesn't mean anything? Should anyone be allowed to sit for the NCLEX because after all, someone, somewhere could have cheated their way through nursing school, so having a degree mean they actually mastered any of the information in nursing schol... Of course not. We know that it's possible that someone cheated their way to their degree, but we still accept that having a degree means you mastered the content of nursing school.

To me, it's comparable, to say that GPA's shouldn't be looked at because someone might have cheated would be the same as saying the degree shouldn't be looked at because someone may have cheated.

I agree cheating is a problem but the answer shouldn't be that GPA's are discredited, it should be that we as nursing educators and nursing students are more intolerant of cheating. How many posts do we see here on AN where a student witnesses cheating and asks if they should report it. That should never be a question, it should always be reported, most schools have an honor code that states so as well. Yet there are many, many students who advise the OP to say nothing and keep mind their own business. Until that changes, there will be folks who get away with cheating and have a GPA they don't deserve.

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Specializes in Gerontological, cardiac, med-surg, peds.

Moderator's friendly reminder: The subject of this thread is the importance of GPA for the nursing student, not the prevalence or existence of cheating. Let's keep to the original subject. If you wish to discuss cheating in nursing school and how this may affect a person's GPA, please start another thread to do so.

Thank you.

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I disagree. You should always strive for A's and B's, but if you get C's in clinical, guess what C really does equal a R.N. It doesnot matter whether or not you graduate top of your class or dead last. You still made it and the people who didn't get accepted into clinical would definitely take a C you earned and would've loved to come in dead last in clinical to be standing on a stage graduating instead of still applying for clinicals all over. So, to all those who think it's not good enough and that means you are just using it as an excuse because of bad grades is VERY UNTRUE. Both of my parents graduated and I know that they made a C or two in clinical but they are two of the best nurses who are very passionate and care about their patients. As long as you know your stuff and the patient is not in danger from a C you made, then you are going to be just fine. Some people are just uppity about grades and think they are better than those students with a C. They are IMO probably the nurses that have little if any compassion to the patiens b/c they were more concerned about being a know-it-all. Kind of like doctors who just want "M.D." behind their name to show it off. Being a nurse is something to definitely be proud of, but it takes devotion to your patients over you thinking you know it all and trying to prove someone wrong. The patients probably can't stand them either! LOL Again, all my opinion and life experience.

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I disagree. You should always strive for A's and B's, but if you get C's in clinical, guess what C really does equal a R.N. It doesnot matter whether or not you graduate top of your class or dead last. You still made it and the people who didn't get accepted into clinical would definitely take a C you earned and would've loved to come in dead last in clinical to be standing on a stage graduating instead of still applying for clinicals all over. So, to all those who think it's not good enough and that means you are just using it as an excuse because of bad grades is VERY UNTRUE. Both of my parents graduated and I know that they made a C or two in clinical but they are two of the best nurses who are very passionate and care about their patients. As long as you know your stuff and the patient is not in danger from a C you made, then you are going to be just fine. Some people are just uppity about grades and think they are better than those students with a C. They are IMO probably the nurses that have little if any compassion to the patiens b/c they were more concerned about being a know-it-all. Kind of like doctors who just want "M.D." behind their name to show it off. Being a nurse is something to definitely be proud of, but it takes devotion to your patients over you thinking you know it all and trying to prove someone wrong. The patients probably can't stand them either! LOL Again, all my opinion and life experience.

Wow! Good thing you didn't use any sweeping generalizations...:eek:

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Sorry I didnt read through this whole thread. The new pass/fail is an 80% at my school now. If you get a B- you can pass , but if you get more than 1 C you fail. 2 C and you get kicked out of the program.

What Im wondering is , compared to the pre-reqs like Micro and A&P, is it just as hard to get an A in nursing classes? Its so hard to get A in these pre-req that not many are able to do it on their first try. If I can get in pre-req's will I be able to get B in the program? Someone I know in the LPN program told me half the class failed or quit.

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Specializes in Psych.

Without having read all the other replies...I see a big difference between those who truly are "poor test takers" but who are studying hard, learning and understanding the content and concepts, and who are also good with the patients, and those who are happy to settle for scraping by with C's so they can have their leisure time. I see both but honestly I have to wonder how many of the people who have made it as far as nursing classes could really be "poor test takers"? :confused: Has that become a socially acceptable cop-out for some people?

I have very high grades, because I work very hard and long hours away from my family to put the time in that it takes to learn all that I am assigned to learn each week. I do this #1 because I feel that in a profession like nursing, I need to know every little tidbit I can get my hands on in order to be a good nurse. As a patient...honestly...if you had a choice would you REALLY prefer the nurse who barely made it through and learned 75% of the curriculum, or the nurse who proved time and time again that he/she grasped the concepts thoroughly and who was dedicated to trying their best when it came to the patient's best interests?

I have also already been told by my clinical instructor that she would "highly" recommend me for a position when I graduate, and my nursing class instructors have said the same, based in large part on my good grades and reputation for completing assignments on time (early actually :o), accurately, my understanding of what it being taught, and my ability to apply it in the clinical setting as well. I don't believe all of my classmates have received the same comments. So to me...yes...the GPA definitely matters!

I'm sorry but the whole "C=RN" thing has always annoyed me! :uhoh3:

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"Wow! Good thing you didn't use any sweeping generalizations..."

I am just saying what I said b/c nursing is so competitive that a lot of people think that they are better than the other students when they should all be supporting each other. What's wrong with what I said when it's true ? There are nurses who I have met who literally argue with others and make smug remarks about how they know more than other nurses and they are very blunt about it.

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I'm on the hiring committee for my unit. At this point, you won't even get an interview with us if your GPA is below 3.0, unless you've cured cancer and studied under Mother Theresa.

Sure, C+passing NCLEX + RN. But if I have the choice between two qualified candidates with essentially equal experience, we're choosing the one who can ALSO get excellent grades while in school. C means you struggled to pass. Why? Are you not a good student? Didn't manage your time well? Were juggling too much? Have those things changed? A students often work full time, juggle too much, and still manage to do well.

Those of you who think C=A as far as nursing school goes...believe me, your employers often think differently.

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Specializes in IMCU.
I'm on the hiring committee for my unit. At this point, you won't even get an interview with us if your GPA is below 3.0, unless you've cured cancer and studied under Mother Theresa.

Sure, C+passing NCLEX + RN. But if I have the choice between two qualified candidates with essentially equal experience, we're choosing the one who can ALSO get excellent grades while in school. C means you struggled to pass. Why? Are you not a good student? Didn't manage your time well? Were juggling too much? Have those things changed? A students often work full time, juggle too much, and still manage to do well.

Those of you who think C=A as far as nursing school goes...believe me, your employers often think differently.

Thank you. Good info!

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